Holy King and High Priest Melchizedek

In commemoration of the 970th anniversary of the first Сhronicle about Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

Dear friends!

We continue acquainting you with the artworks from the Church of Sts. Anthony and Theodosius of Pechersk in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

Today’s release of our “Artistic Heritage” column is dedicated to the Holy King and High Priest Melchizedek.

According to the Bible, the image of the Saint is quite mystical. Similar impression about King Melchizedek (meaning the “king of justice”) arises when you look at his image painted in one of the frieze medallions of the Church. Some Christians identified him with the Appearance of the Son of God mentioned in the Old Testament. Others thought that Melchizedek was a simple descendant of Adam.

Ivan Izhakevych, the artist who created the image of King Melchizedek, fulfilled his work with archeological accuracy. He painted all the clothes’ details of the King of Salem and the Priest of the Holy Father. For example, the King’s headdress is richly, though bizarrely, decorated. Melchizedek’s mantle, no doubt, is also royal, because the circles, which form the ornamental motif of his fabric, were used in the arts to depict the images of the robes of Byzantine emperors and the clothes of Jesus Christ himself. Analogous is the look of the Christ’s garments, who is part of the Church’s domed composition, has the image of the Great Hierarch and sits on the throne. His clothes are also ornamented with the circles.

King Melchizedek’s look is stern and free of earthly vanity because his life “had neither beginning nor end”. His endless glance is directed into the sky and future. His arms, folded on the chest, symbolize humility and sincere devotion to God. Just as the story of Melchizedek does not indicate either the beginning or the end of his life — he seems to be alive forever — so Christ is the eternal God, the King. According to the Apostle Paul, Melchizedek “became similar to the Son of God”, he “is a priest forever” (Heb. 7: 3). “Just as our Holy Father Jesus Christ gave us His Body and Blood in the form of bread and wine, that is, holy communion, so Melchizedek, the symbol of the Savior, brought bread and wine to Abraham and blessed Abraham as an elder” (Gen. 14: 18-20).

The text was prepared by Olena Pitateleva, the senior research worker

Research Division for the study of the artistic heritage of the National Kyiv-Pechersk Historical and Cultural Preserve

Caption to the illustration:

1. Ivan Izhakevych. Holy King and High Priest Melchizedek. Early 20th century. Painting of the Church of Sts. Anthony and Theodosius of Pechersk.